What To Do After a Relapse: 5 Step Guide

Whatever it is, it’s time to reassess and revise at this stage. Many people wonder if they need to return to treatment after a relapse. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For some people, seeking additional treatment after a relapse is crucial.

How to Plan Ahead and Prevent Relapses?

At Wellbrook Recovery, we maintain an active alumni support group with regular events, which contributes to our high rates of lasting sobriety. Families can model that mindset by avoiding blame and helping the person take practical steps toward renewed recovery. For families, this is a moment to reaffirm commitment, not retreat in frustration. Encouraging your loved one to reconnect with therapy, support groups, or structured treatment can reignite progress.

Even though relapse is a well-recognized aspect of recovery from an addiction, many people attempting to quit an addiction will feel they have failed if they relapse. They might abandon their efforts, feeling that quitting is too difficult. Even some treatment programs take a hard line on participants who relapse. Maybe you can’t always avoid being around drugs or alcohol, but you can do your best.

The Sensations: Recognizing Triggers

Physical relapse may be one drink or drug or could be the sustained use of substances over a period of time. This may occur when a person thinks about a previous experience of using substances. You may also stop attending meetings or showing up for recovery commitments. You can become concerned with other people’s problems or start to socially isolate yourself.

What is the Difference Between Sobriety and Recovery?

It’s important to understand that relapses are common in addiction recovery and do not signify failure. Relapses can be viewed as chances to drug addiction gain insight and progress, rather than a setback. Sometimes relapse is caused by underlying mental health and emotional issues you’ve yet to deal with. What unresolved emotional issues are going on in your life that may be contributing to your addiction? Brainstorming ideas and writing them down will help you to address them later in therapy or a support group. For instance, you may find yourself reaching for a drink or drug to mask negative feelings.

• Recovery from addiction is a journey marked by both triumphs and challenges.
• Creating a daily schedule is a strategy to regain control following a setback.
• And then one night, a coworker asks you to grab a drink after work.
• Prioritizing self-care is essential during addiction recovery, especially after a relapse.

Rebuilding a routine following a setback might feel overwhelming. Taking manageable steps can yield significant results. Start by focusing on tasks and gradually increasing the workload from there. Remember, the aim is not to burden yourself but to establish a well-rounded and sustainable daily schedule that supports your journey toward sobriety and overall wellness. Five practical tools for relapse prevention include therapy, support groups, mindfulness training, exercise, and trigger management.

• Relapse is a well-known term when it comes to addiction and recovery, and means using drugs or alcohol after a period of sobriety.
• No way, you’d understand that several things can cause that, like forgetting to take a medication or not realizing a certain allergen is causing it to worsen.
• Let’s take a closer look at 12-step programs, often seen as the “gold standard” of recovery.
• If you relapse, make sure to take care of yourself and continue with your recovery.
• For example, you can pick up the phone and call a friend or counselor for support.
• People who relapse must find support, including additional treatment, to help them get back on track and move forward.
• Reach out to supportive friends, family members, or a professional who really understands the journey of recovery from alcohol or drug use.

Think about what is working well and what needs to change to prevent a future relapse. Continue attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other meetings so that you can develop and practice practical coping skills. Knowing how to move forward afterward is also critical. It reminds your body and brain that you are still in recovery — and that you’re capable of making healthy choices again, even after a setback. It is common, even expected that people who are attempting to overcome addiction will go through one or even several relapses before successfully quitting. The American Addiction Centers report that 40% to 60% of people will relapse.

In fact, many people have multiple setbacks before finally achieving a full recovery. A self-harm relapse occurs when someone struggles with self-harm after a period of time without these behaviors. Experiencing a relapse can feel like a significant setback. However, it is part of many people’s recovery journey. Relapse prevention plans often include steps people can take if they experience a relapse.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to support your journey to recovery. When it does, it’s important to know this isn’t the end of your recovery journey. During a mental relapse, you might start experiencing cravings or think of previous use positively.

It’s scary when a loved one with a drug or alcohol addiction relapses, but there are strategies to regain control following a setback. An emotional relapse doesn’t fit the traditional relapse mold; rather, it serves as a precursor to a potential physical relapse. Substance abuse disorder (SUD) is not just a bad habit; it’s a chronic and progressive disease.

At Better Days Treatment Center, we believe in second chances, and third, and fourth—whatever it takes to support lasting recovery. The first and most crucial step after a relapse is to acknowledge what happened without judgment. Denial or minimization can prevent you from addressing the core issues that led to the slip. At the same time, harsh self-criticism can lead to shame, which is a known trigger for further substance use. Accepting that you’ve had a relapse does not mean accepting defeat—it simply means recognizing reality so you can take positive action. Don’t put that change off for when you’re less stressed, or whatever other excuse may exist.

Your tolerance may have decreased, increasing your risk of overdose or other medical emergencies. Substance use disorder is a chronic, relapsing condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s defined by the ongoing misuse of substances — such as alcohol, drugs or prescription medications — despite negative consequences in your life. Our content is medically reviewed to help ensure accuracy and reliability.